Simplify the operation
Reduce (simplify) the fractions to their lowest terms equivalents:
- To reduce a fraction to the lowest terms equivalent: divide both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor, GCF.
The fraction: 994/35
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 994 = 2 × 7 × 71
- 35 = 5 × 7
- Multiply all the common prime factors: if there are repeating prime factors we only take them once, and only the ones having the lowest exponent (the lowest powers).
- GCF (994; 35) = 7
994/35 = (994 ÷ 7)/(35 ÷ 7) = 142/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
994/35 = (2 × 7 × 71)/(5 × 7) = ((2 × 7 × 71) ÷ 7)/((5 × 7) ÷ 7) = 142/5
The fraction: 999/37
- 999 = 33 × 37
- 37 is a prime number.
- GCF (999; 37) = 37
999/37 = (999 ÷ 37)/(37 ÷ 37) = 27/1 = 27
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
999/37 = (33 × 37)/37 = ((33 × 37) ÷ 37)/(37 ÷ 37) = 27/1 = 27